Cord UIs: Controlling Devices with Augmented Cables

Cord UIs are sensorial augmented cords that allow for simple metaphor-rich interactions to interface with their connected devices. Cords offer a large underexplored space for interactions as well as unique properties and a diverse set of metaphors that make them potentially interesting tangible interfaces. We use cords as input devices and explore different interactions like tying knots, stretching, pinching and kinking to control the flow of data and/or power. We also look at ways to use objects in combination with augmented cords to manipulate data or properties of a device. For instance, placing a clamp on a cable can obstruct the audio signal to the headphones. Using special materials such as piezo copolymer cables and stretchable cords we built five working prototypes to showcase the interactions described in this paper

TRANSFORM

TRANSFORM fuses technology and design to celebrate the transformation from a piece of static furniture to a dynamic machine driven by streams of data and energy. TRANSFORM aims to inspire viewers with unexpected transformations, as well as the aesthetics of a complex machine in motion. This paper describes the concept, engine, product, and motion design of TRANSFORM, which was first exhibited at LEXUS DESIGN AMAZING 2014 MILAN in April 2014